New Poll Shows Majority of Israelis Favor Year-Round Daylight Saving Time
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
A new poll reveals that 44% of Israelis prefer year-round daylight saving time, while only 20% support the current biannual clock changes. Support for permanent DST varies significantly by religiosity and age, with secular and younger Israelis showing higher preference. The survey was conducted by Channel Matzav for Tzohar just before Israel's scheduled switch to standard time.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- 44% of Israelis prefer year-round daylight saving time, according to a new poll.
- Only 20% of Israelis support the current system of switching clocks twice annually.
- Support for permanent DST is highest among secular and younger demographics.
- Religious and ultra-Orthodox Israelis show less support for permanent DST.
- The poll was released just before Israel's scheduled shift to standard time.
A recent survey indicates a significant public preference in Israel for maintaining daylight saving time (DST) throughout the entire year, with 44% of respondents favoring this option. This comes as Israel prepares to switch to standard time, moving clocks back one hour. The poll, conducted by Channel Matzav for Tzohar, reveals that only 20% of Israelis support the current system of switching between DST and standard time twice a year, while 13% would prefer permanent standard time. A notable 23% expressed no preference.
The survey highlighted demographic divisions in opinion. Support for permanent DST was highest among secular Israelis (53%) and traditional Israelis (47%). However, as religiosity increased, support for permanent DST decreased, with only 30% of religious Israelis and 26% of ultra-Orthodox Israelis favoring it. Conversely, religious Israelis showed the highest support for permanent standard time (21%), while the ultra-Orthodox preferred maintaining the current biannual clock changes (37%).
Age also emerged as a significant factor. Younger Israelis showed strong support for permanent DST, with 51% of those aged 18-24 and 18-34 preferring it. Support declined with age, reaching its lowest point among those 55 and older, at 35%. This older demographic also showed the highest preference for permanent standard time (18%).
Differences based on gender were minimal, with 45% of men and 43% of women supporting permanent DST.
